Lincoln And Lent
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"Lincoln and Lent" by John Fitzgerald
Lincoln and Lent
by John Fitzgerald
2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10
Two days from now (Feb. 12) is the celebration of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. Father Abraham led our nation through the fiery crucible of Civil War and emancipated slaves. For these and other notable achievements, Lincoln is considered by most Americans to be the greatest of United States Presidents.
Many scholarly books have been devoted to analysis of Mr. Lincoln’s genius. One of his more remarkable traits is the ability to preserve in face of severe hardship. It is worthwhile to review the record of Lincoln in overcoming discouragement:
ACTIVITY
Failed in Business -- 22 yrs old
Defeated for legislature -- 23 yrs old
Again failed in business -- 24 yrs old
Sweetheart died -- 26 yrs old
Nervous breakdown -- 27 yrs old
Defeated for legislature Speaker -- 29 yrs old
Defeated for Congress -- 34 yrs old
Defeated for Senate -- 46 yrs old
Defeated for Vice President -- 47 yrs old
Defeated for Senate -- 49 yrs old
Elected President of United States -- 51 yrs old
It’s a rare person who does not suffer disappointments. Whether happens to us or someone we are trying to cheer up, the answer to life’s challenges often revolves around perseverance. Lincoln and the man who wrote our scripture reading for this morning are fine examples of people who knew about courage to go on.
The Apostle Paul battled constant problems throughout his ministry. In verses 5-10 of II Corinthians 6 there is a long list of sufferings which St. Paul endured for his witness to Christ. Many of the beastly acts done to this man of God are things which we modern Americans find hard to identify with. Beatings, imprisonments, and hunger which came Paul’s way mark the brutality of people opposed to Christ.
Despite the abuse, Paul continued in ministry. In fact, he encouraged his listeners to receive the salvation of Christ Jesus while time remained. None of us know when our days are at end. As Paul says in our scripture: “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor. 6:2).
Salvation wrought in Christ is offered this Holy Day. We officially begin the holy season of Lent on this day. Lent is a 40 day period of preparation to receive the Resurrected Lord more fully on Easter Sunday (March 27).
Lent by tradition is a time when Christians all over the world try and get closer to Jesus. Followers of Christ often take on disciplines such as prayer, fasting, and Bible reading as a way of walking with the Lord.
Ash Wednesday, which we enter into today, marks the start of this season of renouncing the world and anticipating a Risen Christ. Some Christians have ashes placed on their foreheads as a symbol of repenting at the sins of a fallen world.
Lincoln and the Apostle Paul triumphed over discouragement. May Lent be an occasion in which Christ Jesus gives you strength to persevere through all things.
John Fitzgerald lives in Leesburg, Ohio, with his wife Carolyn and has served as pastor at the Leesburg Friends Meeting for the past 27 years. Cornfield Cathedral (Fairway Press, 2013) is the second book authored by Pastor Fitzgerald. John has earned a Master's of Ministry Degree from the Earlham School of Religion in Richmond, Indiana.
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StoryShare, February 10, 2016, issue.
Copyright 2015 by CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Lima, Ohio.
All rights reserved. Subscribers to the StoryShare service may print and use this material as it was intended in sermons, in worship and classroom settings, in brief devotions, in radio spots, and as newsletter fillers. No additional permission is required from the publisher for such use by subscribers only. Inquiries should be addressed to permissions@csspub.com or to Permissions, CSS Publishing Company, Inc., 5450 N. Dixie Highway, Lima, Ohio 45807.
"Lincoln and Lent" by John Fitzgerald
Lincoln and Lent
by John Fitzgerald
2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10
Two days from now (Feb. 12) is the celebration of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. Father Abraham led our nation through the fiery crucible of Civil War and emancipated slaves. For these and other notable achievements, Lincoln is considered by most Americans to be the greatest of United States Presidents.
Many scholarly books have been devoted to analysis of Mr. Lincoln’s genius. One of his more remarkable traits is the ability to preserve in face of severe hardship. It is worthwhile to review the record of Lincoln in overcoming discouragement:
ACTIVITY
Failed in Business -- 22 yrs old
Defeated for legislature -- 23 yrs old
Again failed in business -- 24 yrs old
Sweetheart died -- 26 yrs old
Nervous breakdown -- 27 yrs old
Defeated for legislature Speaker -- 29 yrs old
Defeated for Congress -- 34 yrs old
Defeated for Senate -- 46 yrs old
Defeated for Vice President -- 47 yrs old
Defeated for Senate -- 49 yrs old
Elected President of United States -- 51 yrs old
It’s a rare person who does not suffer disappointments. Whether happens to us or someone we are trying to cheer up, the answer to life’s challenges often revolves around perseverance. Lincoln and the man who wrote our scripture reading for this morning are fine examples of people who knew about courage to go on.
The Apostle Paul battled constant problems throughout his ministry. In verses 5-10 of II Corinthians 6 there is a long list of sufferings which St. Paul endured for his witness to Christ. Many of the beastly acts done to this man of God are things which we modern Americans find hard to identify with. Beatings, imprisonments, and hunger which came Paul’s way mark the brutality of people opposed to Christ.
Despite the abuse, Paul continued in ministry. In fact, he encouraged his listeners to receive the salvation of Christ Jesus while time remained. None of us know when our days are at end. As Paul says in our scripture: “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor. 6:2).
Salvation wrought in Christ is offered this Holy Day. We officially begin the holy season of Lent on this day. Lent is a 40 day period of preparation to receive the Resurrected Lord more fully on Easter Sunday (March 27).
Lent by tradition is a time when Christians all over the world try and get closer to Jesus. Followers of Christ often take on disciplines such as prayer, fasting, and Bible reading as a way of walking with the Lord.
Ash Wednesday, which we enter into today, marks the start of this season of renouncing the world and anticipating a Risen Christ. Some Christians have ashes placed on their foreheads as a symbol of repenting at the sins of a fallen world.
Lincoln and the Apostle Paul triumphed over discouragement. May Lent be an occasion in which Christ Jesus gives you strength to persevere through all things.
John Fitzgerald lives in Leesburg, Ohio, with his wife Carolyn and has served as pastor at the Leesburg Friends Meeting for the past 27 years. Cornfield Cathedral (Fairway Press, 2013) is the second book authored by Pastor Fitzgerald. John has earned a Master's of Ministry Degree from the Earlham School of Religion in Richmond, Indiana.
*****************************************
StoryShare, February 10, 2016, issue.
Copyright 2015 by CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Lima, Ohio.
All rights reserved. Subscribers to the StoryShare service may print and use this material as it was intended in sermons, in worship and classroom settings, in brief devotions, in radio spots, and as newsletter fillers. No additional permission is required from the publisher for such use by subscribers only. Inquiries should be addressed to permissions@csspub.com or to Permissions, CSS Publishing Company, Inc., 5450 N. Dixie Highway, Lima, Ohio 45807.
